When reaching for the best weight lifting belt in your gym bag, what exercises signal the need to use one? Are they movements that you feel a belt benefits, movements that warrant a belt's use based off of ... Continue Reading
3 Grip Tips and a Workout from Old Timey Strongmen
The prisoner was discovered, and he then had but one option: he must escape… He threw himself at the gate and shook the bars violently, but the iron refused to bend. The guards advanced in the dark, and we ... Continue Reading
Isopure Vs. Dymatize – Which Low-Carb Whey Is Best?
These are two protein powders that deserve recognition for the indelible impact they’ve made on the industry. The first is Isopure, which may well be the most popular whey isolate on Earth. (We don’t ... Continue Reading
10 Box Jump Variations to Boost Strength, Explosiveness, and Athleticism
The box jump is a plyometric exercise that is used by strength, power, fitness, and sports athletes to increase lower body power and explosiveness. While most of us are familiar with the box jump, it is ... Continue Reading
Why Women Can Handle More Training Volume Than Men
Strong /strôNG/ adjective: having the power to move heavy weights or perform other physically demanding tasks. [Synonyms: muscular, brawny, strapping, sturdy, burly, heavily built, meaty, robust, ... Continue Reading
Best Weightlifting Shoes for Wide Feet
Let's call it what it is, but weightlifting shoes are an investment. They're a pair of shoes that come with a very specific purpose, so they're only going to be wear the on limited occasions. Factor in ... Continue Reading
How Timed Holds Can Improve Your Squat, Bench, and Deadlift
Back in the 1960s, the iron game world was a lot smaller than it is today. Now, we’re nearly overwhelmed by choices — what websites to read, which barbell is best, what shoes to wear, and dozens or ... Continue Reading
Are Squats the Most Effective Exercise for the Glutes?
Remember when everyone said squats were the best exercise for building your glutes? Forget what you know. Today we’re going to dig into some human anatomy, break down the function of the squat, the glutes, ... Continue Reading
SBD vs. Rehband Knee Sleeves: Which Is Better for Competing?
SBD and Rehband are two of the bigger brands when it comes to knee sleeves. These sleeves have a few similarities, but also a few pretty big differences worth taking a look at. If you're a serious strength ... Continue Reading
Does Soy Lower Testosterone? What Athletes Need to Know
One of the most controversial topics in sports nutrition has got to be soy. The humble, unusually high-fat bean has been a dietary staple in much of Asia for thousands of years and today it makes up some 7 ... Continue Reading
The Pros and Cons of Lifting Belts
A lifting belt can be an extremely useful piece of supportive strength equipment for the gym. Yet, with that extreme usefulness comes an equal level of understanding for when, how, and why you should wear ... Continue Reading
3 Powerlifting Meet Prep Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them
As soon as you start to get serious about powerlifting, things change. Maybe you start to pay a little more attention to your training program, and then you decide to set some ambitious goals — say, ... Continue Reading
Best Weightlifting Shoes for Beginners
If you've landed on this article, then more than likely you're newer to lifting shoes and need guidance before investing. Whether you're new to competing in strength sports or you're just a recreational ... Continue Reading
The Pros and Cons of Meal Replacement Shakes
So you know a guy who knows a guy who has been living on some meal replacement for days now, and you’re starting to wonder to yourself, “What is the big deal with food? Has technology overtaken it like we ... Continue Reading
Charles R. Poliquin, World Renowned Strength Coach, Has Died At Age 57
Charles R. Poliquin, one of the most influential strength coaches in the world, has unexpectedly passed away at age 57. The cause of death is currently unknown. The announcement was made in English and ... Continue Reading
Why Everyone Hates This “Fit After 50” Article
If you like fitness and you have a social media account, there’s a decent chance you’ve seen the scorn heaped upon a recent Reader’s Digest article. Apparently, if you’re over 50, you shouldn’t do… pretty ... Continue Reading
Do Knee Sleeves Increase the Weight In Squats?
In powerlifting, weightlifting, and recreational lifting, knee sleeves can be a great supportive training tool for those who want additional protection around their knees. Sleeves come in multiple shapes ... Continue Reading
Larry Wheels Bench Presses 225 lbs for 70 Reps
For a lot of strength athletes an unloaded, 45-pound barbell doesn't feel like much at all. For many it probably feels like a weight that barely registers with the body. With that in mind, have you ever ... Continue Reading
10 Shoulder Press Variations to Build Upper Body Strength
The shoulder press is a movement used by most strength, power, and fitness athletes to increase overhead strength, pressing abilities, and add significant size and strength to the shoulders (and upper ... Continue Reading
The Bar Shack Custom Protein Bar Review
In the last five years alone, protein bars have grown in popularity across all spectrums of health oriented individuals. Whether you're a dedicated strength athlete or the casual lifter, chances are you ... Continue Reading
The Benefits of Towel Pull-Ups, Rows, and Much More
Believe it or not, you have a tool that can strengthen your grip sitting in your room, and you probably use it for everything but grip training every single day. What's this magic exercise implement? A ... Continue Reading
5 Benefits of Heavy Thrusters
Heavy front squats and push presses are two movements that are beneficial for building strength, muscle mass, and athletic potential for strength, power, and fitness sports. Thrusters, often seen in ... Continue Reading
7 Downsides of Being Crazy Lean
Sure, a strong deadlift is cool but you know what’s really cool? Six. Pack. Abs. Or eight-pack abs. Just getting super, stupid, crazy lean, bro, that’s what it’s all about. We’re being sarcastic here ... Continue Reading
How Ultra High Rep (25+) Sets Can Improve Your Strength and Size
One of my favorite bodybuilding strategies involves ultra-high reps for growth: sets of 25, 50, or even 100. I love a challenge, and these ultra-high-rep sets require pushing yourself to the limit, even ... Continue Reading